Friends and Faces of Berlin

I thought it was time you all get a little snapshot of the people and places I see on a regular basis. These are just a few of images of the things that surround my life in Berlin. I only have a few now, but I promise to make a part 2 (or 3...or 4... if necessary). I want to much sure you get to see all the wonderful people on this very large team!

 "We're so excited for UniMAT!" We really were. I think these faces more expressed our feelings about being in the 8 passenger van. L-R Me, Hannah K, Maureen, Kayla, and Mamie.

Behold. The Doner. A common delicacy available on almost every street corner in the city.

Kayla. A most spirited and hilarious individual. This is Kayla in her natural habitat- taking a quick selfie of herself and her gluten-free soup. It's hard not to love her, although you never know what she's going to do or say next!

So technically this one isn't in Berlin. This is a picture of what my Mom's office at work looks like. Two clocks- Chicago time and Berlin time. I think that says it all. You can be praying for my Momma too. And if you see her regularly, you can give her a hug for me. Berlin is great but I still miss my Mom :)

The faces of success at the Burgeramt! We had to register with the city in order to get bank accounts, visas, and follow the law. We woke up at 5:45 to beat the crowds and were pretty excited to be out by 9:00. And so was Mackey. Up top you'll see Nicole, Hannah K, and Maureen. The animal licking my face is our lovable team dog, Mackey (really Adam and Lauren's, but we all like her).

 The Queens of the Castle (roomies), minus Maureen. We were in desperate need for anything closely related to Mexican, and then found some taco seasoning in our cabinet. So we made chicken nachos loaded with veggies and mozzarella (because cheddar is quite hard to find!). Here you've got Nicole, Hannah K, myself, and Mamie. Maureen got home shortly after we took this pic so...

...Maureen now gets her own picture. We accidentally matched completely. And if you know me, my face is the opposite of how I was feeling inside. But Maureen was pretty stoked about it so I guess it was okay.

The Tor. All lit up with moving projections and music for the Festival of Lights. I wish I could describe the Festival better but I think it's just one of those things you have to experience!

 Top- Steph and Hannah K. Bottom- Maureen, Nicole, and I. Enjoying the Festival of Lights together with our hot chocolate and gluhwein. 

This one is so cool. "Let there be light" in the projection onto the Berliner Dom and the TV Tower in the background.

If you are a Heinen or you've had brunch with the Heinens you know what this is. Eggs Benedict on a Saturday morning to celebrate our first full week of work. Just initiating the roommates into the Heinen family!

 Two wonderful things- Sam and a Belgian waffle. Sam and I went to church together, caught up at Starbucks afterward, and took a prayer walk around Alexander Platz. We prayed that God would lead us to the cafe with these waffles that I went to on my spring break trip (I couldn't remember where it was) and bam! 10 minutes later we found it. And then we celebrated by sharing this incredible waffle. So thankful for this beautiful woman, Belgian waffles, and for a God who shows us that he loves us- even in waffles.

Steps of Faith

I all too easily forgot that support raising was not the only challenge in the call to Berlin. In fact, it was just the beginning. Leaving the U.S. and my first few weeks in Germany have been fun and exciting and filled with all things new. It's been great! But has been feeling more like a vacation than a job. After a Germany staff conference, a Berlin team retreat, and a women's adventure to Poland, it's finally time to get into the swing of things!

In this time of vision, planning, and orientation I've been struck by the faiths of Simon (Peter) and of Jonathan. Pretty much all of this thinking was prompted by what we talked about at team retreat, but I really felt like this was wisdom that needed to be shared.

Luke 5:1-11 | The Calling of the First Disciples
Now Peter. Oh Peter. I feel like every time I read about Peter my response is, "Retweet, Peter. Retweet. I feel ya." Paul is great and inspiring, but Peter constantly reminds me that grace, power, and love are extended even to those with little faith. So here, Peter is just getting to know who Jesus is. Jesus just healed his mother-in-law and now goes to Peter after a long night of fishing, asking to use his boat to teach a large crowd. After his teaching, Jesus then instructs Peter to put his nets down for a catch. Read: Jesus is telling Peter how to do his job. Peter's response is so like mine often is, "Jesus, I've tried that. I know how to do this. In fact I've been doing it for a while now. But okay, because you say so, I'll do it your way. Whatever." (Obviously paraphrased) Jesus' instructions lead to the largest catch of Peter's life. And his response is asking Jesus to leave. "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (5:8). He knows who Jesus is, acknowledges it, and knows he is not worthy to be in his presence. He's also probably afraid of who he is. I know I would be. And yet, Jesus still says to him "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men" (5:11) and Peter follows Jesus upon bringing the boat to shore.

In this moment, sitting in my apartment in Berlin, I feel so much like Peter. Jesus has done great things through me in situations where, like Peter, I am comfortable in my ability- in school, in community, in my sorority, on my campus, in America. And now, He has brought me to a new place, to do new and uncomfortable things. I'm focusing on starting new movements on new campuses in the city. I wasn't fully expecting that. I'm sure when Peter heard Jesus say he would be a fisher of men he hesitated for a moment. "What does that even mean?" I find myself asking that question as we're talking about how we're reaching students this year and beyond. Jesus is calling me out of my boat and I'm trying to figure out what it means to follow him. I'll admit it's pretty scary, and yet...

1 Samuel 14:1-14 | Jonathan Attacks the Philistines
What I've always loved about Jonathan is his loyalty to his friend David. Every time I read about him, I'm amazed at how far that loyalty goes. This story of Jonathan is about his faith in the Lord. At this time the Israelites have no weapons, except for Jonathan and Saul, they have very few solders willing to fight the Philistines, and the Philistine army is massive. The reality is that if the Israelites try to fight, they will surely lose, because how could a few beat countless? Yet Jonathan says to his armor-bearer (note it's just Jonathan and this other man), "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows (Philistines). Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few" (14:6). Guess what? Jonathan defeats the Philistines. And he starts his prayer with perhaps. The door is open to possibility. And isn't God the one who can do whatever He wants? God is not hindered by many or few, big or small. Anything is a possibility. Anything we think about, God could do.

Perhaps. It's not a word we use often, especially in the positive sense. But really? God can do whatever He wants, with whoever He wants. He can do small things with lots of people or big things with a few. How refreshing is that? So my fears and hindrances, my desire to stay in the boat, I can let that go. Place myself in the river of God's will and allow Him to use me to glorify His name. And in doing that, in giving up of myself, I will experience more than I could ever imagine. I can take risks without worry because God can do whatever He wants. How cool.

Anything could happen.

"And He whispers to your heart to let it go and to be a light...You're full of life now. You're full of passion. That's how He made you. Just let it happen" - "Let it Happen" United Pursuit